By Ron Dutcher
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Shipman’s was first a stationary store, but Asa Shipman was very quick to notice the genius behind Lewis Waterman’s channel feed fountain pen. He made a partnership with Waterman and lent him $6,000 and a space in his store so that Waterman could move out of the cigar store where he had been working. The deal soured quickly, and Waterman moved out and into his own office at 155 Broadway. However, Waterman was unable to repay Shipman right away, and under the deal Shipman was allowed to use Waterman’s patents to make and sell his own pens.
This article is part of the Manhattan Pen Makers Project, originated by Ron L. Dutcher. Except for typographical corrections, the text is as Ron published it. Ron wanted to include photos of advertisements or pens from each maker; he had some photos, but the gallery was far from complete. Photos here are a mixture of what Ron had and what I have been able to add from my own photo library. As with other reference articles on this site, you should not take this information as absolutely authoritative or complete.